Swearing is going to happen on a sporting field but a captain pointing the finger at an opponent, that has to stop.

This is the viewpoint of Michael Vaughan, who says Australia captain Michael Clarke has done more damage to the game with his body language than with his verbal threat which was aired by broadcaster the Nine Network.

Clarke was fined 20 per cent of his match fee following last week's first Ashes Test in Brisbane after telling No.11 batsman Jimmy Anderson: "Get ready for a broken f***ing arm."

It's been alleged Anderson had threatened to punch Australia's George Bailey in the face, prompting Clarke to respond with his fiery comment.

"The one thing I want changed in the game, I hate it when I see captains point the finger at players, and that's what Clarke does," former England captain Vaughan has told Triple M Radio.

"He's done it on a few occasions. He's got to stop that.

"That's the example that kids are looking for. And as much as the swearing is terrible, I'm afraid that goes on in all sports.

"It goes on in football. It certainly goes on in rugby, and it goes on in cricket.

"I could imagine what Jeff Thomson and co. were saying in the 1970s and 80, so this is pretty tame.

"But the actual pointing of the finger and walking from second slip to Jimmy Anderson while he was batting. That kind of thing needs to be ironed out."

England coach Andy Flower says he's considering having peace talks with Australia coach Darren Lehmann ahead of the second Test in Adelaide on December 5.

Struggling England batsman Jonathan Trott has returned home following the Brisbane defeat with a stress-related illness and Flower doesn't want Trott's sensitive departure to become a topic of conversation on the field.

"A balance has got to be found on the pitch between competitiveness and not overstepping the line," Flower says.